AUSTIN, Texas, April 9, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- With Wi-Fi® connecting an ever-widening range of devices, including those for the smart home and Internet of Everything, Wi-Fi Alliance® has updated one of its most popular product certification programs to include Near Field Communication (NFC) "tap-to-connect." Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Wi-Fi Protected Setup™ now offers consumers a simplified option to set up Wi-Fi connections, even on devices without a user interface. Users can now connect devices certified for this capability by simply tapping them together, activating a security-protected Wi-Fi connection.

Since 2007, Wi-Fi Protected Setup has been the industry-standard solution for users to easily connect and protect Wi-Fi devices. The new "tap-to-connect" capability enabled by NFC extends the reach of Wi-Fi Protected Setup to devices lacking the rich user interface found in computing devices. Now, a range of devices, from cameras and gaming devices, to smart home devices such as refrigerators, thermostats, and security systems will be able to be connected with a simple tap via NFC. Gartner predicts 26 billion Internet of Everything devices - many of them Wi-Fi enabled – are expected on the market by 2020, making simple and security-protected connection tools are of paramount importance.

"Wi-Fi Protected Setup gives consumers simplicity and peace of mind," said Edgar Figueroa, president and CEO of Wi-Fi Alliance. "We continue to evolve our Wi-Fi CERTIFIED programs to support market requirements today and in the future, all while taking security-protected Wi-Fi into the many areas where Wi-Fi is becoming popular."

Wi-Fi Protected Setup now offers users three easy setup methods – Personal Identification Number (PIN), Push-Button Configuration, and NFC. With the NFC method, the user connects two or more NFC-enabled products by tapping them together. Wi-Fi Protected Setup then automatically configures the network name and activates WPA2™ security. The NFC connection method can be used to set up both traditional networks with an access point as well as Wi-Fi Direct® groups.

"The NFC Forum is pleased to see NFC technology being embraced by the Wi-Fi Protected Setup certification program as we work together to simplify connectivity for the user," said NFC Forum Chairman Koichi Tagawa. "With NFC's easy, intuitive interface, users can enjoy a more convenient experience."

More than 10,000 devices have been certified for Wi-Fi Protected Setup since 2007. The first products to support the NFC option and which form the test suite for the certification program include:

About Wi-Fi Alliance®www.wi-fi.orgWi-Fi Alliance® is a global non-profit industry association – our members are the worldwide network of companies that brings you Wi-Fi®. The members of our collaboration forum come from across the Wi-Fi ecosystem and share a vision of seamless connectivity. Since 2000, the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ seal of approval designates products with proven interoperability, industry-standard security protections, and the latest technology. Wi-Fi Alliance has certified more than 18,000 products, delivering the best user experience and encouraging the expanded use of Wi-Fi products and services in new and established markets. Today, billions of Wi-Fi products carry a significant portion of the world's data traffic in an ever-expanding variety of applications.